The “Big 18” and Human Rights Coalition, operating under the auspices of CDD-Ghana, have urged President Nana Akufo-Addo not to sign the Human Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021, commonly known as the Anti-LGBTQI Bill, into law once it is passed by Parliament.
The “Big 18” is a group of lawyers who joined forces to oppose the passage of the Anti-LGBTQI Bill in Parliament when the issue gained prominence in the country’s legislative body.
According to the “Big 18” and Human Rights Coalition, the enactment of the Anti-LGBTQI Bill would violate several fundamental human rights provisions outlined in Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. They argue that the Bill, in one fell swoop, aims to infringe upon rights such as dignity, freedom of speech, freedom of association, participation in processions, academic freedom, equality, and non-discrimination.
In essence, the “Big 18” and Human Rights Coalition believe that the Anti-LGBTQI Bill, if signed into law, would undermine the core principles of human rights enshrined in Ghana’s Constitution.
“In her remarked at a press conference, Professor Audrey Gadzekpo said these rights and freedoms constitute the bedrock of any constitutional democracy and any attempt to tinker with them will set a dangerous precedent for our democracy and must be of great concern to all Ghanaians.
Prof. Gadzekpo noted that Human rights are not dependent on majority approval or disapproval, therefore, the assertion by proponents of the Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill that because the majority of Ghanaians are allegedly in favour of the Bill justifies its passage into law is untenable.
“We are aware that some religious communities may find LGBTQ+ activities offensive and classify them as sinful. It is within their right to freedom of thought and religious practice to take such a stance. However, Ghana’s secular democratic organization allows and encourages diversity and inclusivity.”
For this reason, she said when the Constitution makes provisions for, among other things, freedom of religion, it does not prescribe nor impose a singular religious faith on the country but allows for people to profess, belong to, adopt, and manifest their religion of choice.
In addition to violating the rights of the LGBTQ+, she further argued that the Bill would violate media and press freedoms as it would punish any citizen who broadcasts or posts publications, stories or reports that are said to be related to LGBTQ+ activities.
“Any person that uses the media to broadcast and/or advocate on this topic, faces a prison sentence of up to three years. This places a heavy restriction on journalists, bloggers, influencers, and various social media users who produce or publish content, especially those who work in the field of human rights.”
Professor Takyiwaa Manuh added that Any attempt to criminalize what some regard as a sin through the instrumentality of the State, violates the long-standing principle of separation of Church and State. It would also constitute a state-sanctioned imposition of the religious views of one segment of the Ghanaian society onto those who may not share them,” she posited.
She said the Bill violates Article 108 of the 1992 Constitution which prohibits private members’ bills that impose a charge on the public purse. As a result of this, we urge the president not to assent to the Human Sexual Rights and Family Values Bill, 2021,” she quipped.
According to her, It will signal a sad day indeed for the media’s hard-earned right to discharge its responsibilities to society and have a chilling effect on freedom of expression for all,” she added.
Source: Oyerepafmonline.com /Bernard K Dadzie
